May 4, 2013

Written by

Post-Crescent Media

Q: What farm and construction equipment is required to display the three-cornered orange Slow Moving Vehicle sign? When a vehicle with the sign is being transported on a truck or trailer traveling at highway speeds, shouldn’t the sign be removed or covered up?

A: Sgt. David Catalano of the Wisconsin State Patrol directed me to state statute 347.245 (1) for the answer.

The law says “any vehicle or equipment, any animal-drawn vehicle, or any other machinery, including all road machinery” that usually travels less than 25 mph on a highway is required to display the slow moving vehicle (SMV) emblem “on the most practicable visible rear area of the vehicle.”

The law doesn’t require a SMV sign if the vehicle is only crossing the highway, if the vehicle is being towed and the tow truck is visible from the rear, or if road machinery is engaged in construction or maintenance work while guarded by a flagman or clearly visible warning signs.

Regarding the second question, Catalano said if a vehicle displaying a SMV sign is being hauled on a truck or trailer, there is no requirement for the SMV sign to be covered.